Steam generating plant



V. W. MASON STEAM GENERATING PLiANT Aug. 2, 1932.

4 Sheets-Shet 1 Filed Aug. 5; 1930 2, 1932 v. w. MA SON STEAM GENERATING PLANT Fi led Aug. 5/ 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 2, 1932. v. w. MASON STEAM GENERATING PLANT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 5, 1930 amt Aug. Z, 1932. v. w. MA$ON 8 2 STEAM GENERATING PLANT Filed Aug. 5, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1/. Ma mm as? Patented Aug. 2, 1932 i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Y VADEN w. MAsomor, BROOKN'EAL, VIRGINIA STEAM (inNERA'rrire rum Application filed au ust}, 1930. Serial no; 473,208.:

This invention relates to asteam generatingplant and has relation more particularly to a plant of thiskind' embodying the-general principle of flash generation. 7

The invention has for an object to provide a rotating part provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced steam generating units each'including a hot plate, together with means for intermittently rotating-said part to bring the units-successively to a predeterminedlocation for steam generation andwith means for supplying water to the hot plate during the period the unit is at such location.- a

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and ar rangement of; the several parts ofmy improved steam generating plant wherebycertainimp'ortant advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advan tageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. Y

The novel features of my inventionwill hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my IIIVBIItIOIImELy be-the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom panying drawings, wherein 7 Figure 1 is a view in top plan of'a steam generating plant constructed inaccordance with an embodiment of my invention, the associated heating units being indicated by broken lines and a coacting engine being shown in fragment;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional View taken through the center of the structure as illustrated in Fligure 1 including the engine with certain of the parts in elevation; Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in top plan and of somewhat a diagrammatic character illustrating certain of the features of construction for efiecting the desired intermittent rotation of the rotating member;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in plan of additionalmechanisnrcomprised in'the means for rotating the'rotatable member; 1 v

F igure 5 is afragmentary view in side elevationillustrating in detail a portion of the assembly for efiecti'ng an intermittent rotation of the rotatable member;

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6 ot-F'igure 3; i

F igure? is an enlarged detailedsectional-f view taken substantially on the line 7,7 of

FigureS .1s. enlar ed detailed sectional view taken. substantial y 011. the line 8V-8'- of FigureQ. v v v a As disclosed in the accompanying draws ings, B'denotes a base or supporting struc-i ture which'rotatably supports an upstanding or vertically disposed shaft 1. Keyed or otherwise fixed to the shaft 1 isthe hub 2 of" arotating member M; Radiating from the hub 2 are the spokes 3 carrying at theirouter ends the relatively broadannular rim 4. At equidistantly spaced pointstherearound the rim 4 is provided with the openings 5 and secured to the rim 4 to the rear of'each of the openings 5' is a casting 7 The casting is so formed as to provide a pocket 8 registering'with the opening 5 and the water jacket'9; The casting 7 is in two parts, one part 10 constituting the wall of the pocket 8 and the second part ll'constituting the resulting from the water dropping upon the inner surface of the heated plate 12 from within the jacket 9. The jacket 9 is adapted to be constantly filled with water and the jacket is so formed as to substantially surround the wall 10 so that water within the jacket 9 will absorb such heat as may pass through the wall 10 to effect a preheating of the water within the jacket 9.

Rotating with the member M and positioned entirely above the chambers 8 is a supply tank T of predeterminedcapacity and this tank-Tie in. communication withthe upper portion of each of the jackets 9 through the medium of a pipe line 17 in which is interposed a non-return valve 13 indicated by broken lines in Figure 2 and which non return valve may be of any type preferred;

The water as placed within thetankT fills the jackets 9, and each of the jackets 9 is in communication with a; pocket. 8-through the medium of a seriesof openings 19 -pro-1.

vided through the upper'p'ortionxof the-part 10. These openings 19 communicate with a grooveor channel 20 formed in the. upper surface of thepant 10 and in which groove or channel is snugly. engaged: the-lower-portion: of: a cylindrical valve member 21. This valve member 21.. extends through: and isrotatably supported by the side walls of the jacket 9 and. one. end. portion of the valve member 21extends beyond" a sidewall of the jacket as particularly illustrated inFigure 8.- This extended portion of the: valvemember- 21 has fixeditheretoan upstanding? rock arm 22 and coacting with this rock arm 22 and an outstandingilugz'23 or'the likecarried by the adjacent side wall of the: jacket,.is a: spring 24 which serves to normally maintain the openings 25 through the valve menu;-

ber 21 out of register'with theopenings-19xin the part 10 of the casting-.1. An. inter mediate portion. of: the spring: 2% is' coiled,

as at 26,. around the adj a'centv extended end: portion of. theivalvemember21.

Just before a-apoc'ket 8 is brought'into reg isten with the intake: port 27 of an. engine E- or the like, the rock arm'z22' is brought intocontact with the horizontally inclinedzor cam arm-28 which serves to rock thearrn 22 sufitciently to'bring tlie=openings-. 25 of the valve member21. into register with the openings- 19 so that the water withinthejacket 9 will. pass through the openings 1=9and.-f'all!uponthe preheated'iplate 12:res'ulting:in immediate generation of steam: which willpass into the port 27 of theengine and fromthere-toits work.'

Aften' a predetermined: time; the pockets 8 will be' moved away from register with the intake port 275 and as the rock arm: 22'- passes from the cam arm' 28 the spring. 249

will operate to returni the" valve member 21 into its normally closed: position.

' Thearm 28 hereinbeforei referred. to' is ea i' ried by the lower portion of a vertically disposed arm 29 pivotally mounted, as at 30, at a desired point between its ends to a bracket 31 or the like carried by the engine E. The extremity of the arm 29 remote from the horizontal cam arm 28 is operatively engaged through the pitman 32 with a governor mechanism Gr whereby as the speed of the engine E increases or decreases the arm 28 will be correspondingly moved into or out of the path of travel of the rock arm 22 thus assuring an. eiiective. regulation of the feed of the. water. to a hot plate'12.,-.

The inner portion of the pocket 8 has in communication therewith an upstanding pipe 33-pos-i'tioi1ed entirely within the jacket 9 and terminating adjacent the top of such jacket; The upper end of this pipe 33 is normally, closed by. a flap valve 34. This pipe 33 is provided in the event there should be abnormal back pressurewithin the pocket 8.

Mounted. upon the shaft 1 for rotation therewith and located betweenthe base B and the hub 2 of the member'Mis a head or. casting H- provided? at spacedpoints around its periphery with the radially directedpockets; .35' inxeach of which is engagedanend portion of an elongatedarm 36 there beingone arm'36 for each generator. The portion of the arm 36-within its-pocket 35 is mounted, as at 37, for vertical swinging movement. The top wall of the inner portion of the, pocket 35 is soformed, asat 38 to limitthe downward movement of the outer portion of the armi 36 below substantially thehorizonil and which chainor endless member 39 passesaround the suitably positioned sprocket wheels 40.- -One of the sprocket wheels. 40 is mounted on a shaft 41 which is also in d'rivenconnection through the endless member or chain- 42: or the like with a rotatable part of the engine E so that the endless memberor chain 39 will be driven at a predetermined rateof speed.

Carried by adjacent links of the'chain .39 are the lugs 43'which, when applied afford a: wedge member which as it passes under the'outer'end portion of an arm.36'raises the same from within the notch or recess 44 in a holding flange 45 carried by the base B. hen an arm 36 is engaged within a notch or recess 44 a pocket 8-is maintained in desired register with the intake port 27 of the engine El However, as the endlesschain 39 travels the wedge medium afforded by the lugs 43 passes under the arm 36 and. raises the'same sufficiently to disengage the arm 36 from within thenotch or recess 44. At this time a shoulder 46 carried bythe innermost lug 43 contacts with the arm 36 with the resuit that the shaft 1- is rotated sufficient to bring a succeeding pocket 8'into register with the intake port 27. Just before a succeeding arm 36 is broughtinto position to be engaged within the notch or recess 44 of the holding flange 45, the preceding arm 36 rides up a lifting flange 47 also suitably mounted upon the base B so that at the time one arm 36 is having locking engagement Within the notch or recess 44 of the flange 45 the arm 36 in advance thereof is freed from the shoulder 46 so that the chain 39 continues its travel unhampered or without obstruction. It is,

therefore, believed to be self-evident that the shaft 1 will be intermittently rotated at'predetermined intervals, the period of such intervals "being based upon the speed of the engine as transmitted to the governor. V

The plates 12 before being brought into register with the intake port 27 are subjected to a suitable heating medium herein indicated by broken lines as oil burners 48. These burners 48 may beany number desired and as the requirements of practice may "determine. L-also' wish to be understood as not limiting myself to the use of oil burners 48 as it is within the scope of my invention to employ any heating means for the plates 12 which can be vused to advantage.

From the foregoing description it is thought tobe obvious that a steam generating plant constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereofand for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the-precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim r 1. In a' plant of the class described comprising a rotatable member provided in its peripheral portion with a plurality of circumf-erentially spaced pockets, heat plates within the pockets, means for discharging water upon each of the plates when the pocket for said plate is at a predetermined point in the rotation of the member.

.2. In a plant of the class described comprising a rotatable member provided in its peripheral portion with a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets, heat plates within the pockets, means for discharging water upon each of the plates whenthe pocket for said plate is at a predetermined point in the rotation of the member, and means for heating each of said plates before water is discharged thereon.

3. In a plant of the class described comprising a rotatable member provided in its peripheral portion with a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets, heat plates within the pockets, means for discharging water upon each of theplateswhen the pocket for said plate is at a predetermined point in the rotation of the member, and Lneans for intermittently rotating the memer. I p 4. In an engine having an intake port, a member supported for rotation with respect to said intake port, said member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought into register with the intake port, a heat plate within each of the pockets, means for delivering water to the heat plate in a pocket When in register with the intake port, means for heating each of said plates before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port, and means for intermittently ro tating the member.

5. In an engine havingan intake port, a

member supported for rotation with respect 1 to said intake port, said member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought into register with the intake port, a heat plate within eachof the pockets, means for delivering water to the heat plate in a pocket when in register with the intake port, means for' heating each of said plates before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port, and meansfor intermittently rotating the member, the major portion of a heat plate being spaced from the walls-of its pocket, said plate having perforations, and water being delivered upon the rear face of'the plate.

6. In an engine having an intake port and a rotatable part, a member supported for rotation with respect to the intake port,sa id member having pockets adaptedto be'intermittently brought into register with the'intake portiof the engine, a heat plate within each o-f'the pockets, means for discharging water upon a heat plate when its pocket is' in register with the intakeport, means for heating a plate before its pocket'is brought into register with the intake port, and means driven from the movable part of theengine for intermittently member.

7. In an engine having an intakeport and a movable part, a member supported for rotation with respect to the intake port,sa id rotating I the rotatable member having pockets adapted to be inter mittently brought into register with the in take port of the engine, a heat plate within each of the pockets, means for discharging V water, upon a heat plate when its pocket is in register with the intake port, means for heating a plate before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port, means driven fromthe movable part of the engine for intermittently rotating the rotatable member, andmeans for holding the rotatable member against rotation during the period the engine.

apocketis-in register with the intake port of the engine.

8, In an engine havingan intake port and a movable part, a member supported for rotation with respect to the intake port, said member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought into register with the intakeport of the engine, a heat plate within each of the pockets, means for discharging water upon a heat plate when its pocket is in register with the intake port, means for heating a plate before its pocket is brought into register with the intake'port, means driven from the movable part of the engine for intermit-tently rotating the rotatable member,

means for holding the rotatable. member against rotation during the period a pocket.

is in register with the intake port of the engine, said last named means including an endless travelling member carrying an outstanding shoulder, and arms carried by the rotatable member with which the shoulder of the endless member contacts to intermittently rotate the'rotatable member.

' 9. In an engine having an intake port and a movable part, a membersupported for rotation with respect to the intake port, said member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought into register with the intake port of the engine, a heat plate within each of the pockets, means for discharging water upon a heat plate when its pocketis in register wlth the intakep'ort, means for heating a plate, before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port, meansdrivjen from the movable part of the engine for intermittently rotating the rotatable member, means for holding the rotatable member against rotation during the period a pocket is in ister with the intake port of the engine, said last named means including anendless travelling member carrying an outstanding shoulder, arms carried by the rotatable member with which the shoulder of the endless member contacts to intermittently rotate the rotatable member, and means coacting with one of said arms for holding the rotatablemember against rotation during the period a pocket is in register with he intake port of 10. In an engine having an intake port and a movable part, a member supported for rotation with respect to the intake port, said member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought'into register with the intake port of the engine, a heat plate within each of the pockets, means for discharging water upon a heat plate when its pocket is in register with the intake port, means for heating a plate before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port, means driven from the movable part of the engine for intermittently rotating the rotatable member, means for holding the rotatable member against rotation during the period a pocket is in register with the'intake portof. the engine, said last named. means includ ing an endless travelling member carrying. an outstanding shoulder, arms carried by therotatable member with which the shoulder of the endless member contacts to intermittently rotate the rotatable member, means coacting with one of said" arms for holding the rotatable member against rotation during the period pocket is in register with the intake port of the engine, and means for releasing said arm. before an intermittent rotation of the rotatable member.

11. In an engine having an intake port and a movable part, a member supported for rotation with respect to the intake port, said member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought into register with the intake port of the engine, a heat plate within each of the pockets, means for discharging water upon a heat plate when its pocket is in register with the intake port, means for heating a plate before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port, means driven from the movable part of the engine for in: termittently rotating the rotatable member,

means for holding the rotatable member gine, said last named means including an.

endless travelling member carrying an outstanding shoulder, arms'carried'by the rotatable member with which' the shoulder of the endless member contacts to intermittently rotate the rotatable member, means coacting with one of said arms for holding the rotatable member against rotation during the period a pocket is in register with the intake port of the engine, and means for disengaging an arm from'the shoulder of the travel ling member upon predetermined rotation of the rotatable member.

12. In an engine having an intake port and a speed responsive device, a rotatable member having pockets adapted to be intermittently brought into register with the intake port of the engine, means for intermittently rotating said rotatable member, a source of water supply carried by the rotatable memher and in communication with each of the pockets, a heat plate within each of the pockets upon which the water discharges, means for heating each plate before its pocket is brought into register with the intake port of the engine, a rock valve for cont-rolling the" ber having pockets adapted to be intermit-' tently brought into register with the intake port of the engine, means for mtermittently rotating said rotatable member, a source of device for moving the rock valve into open position, and means for constantly urging the rock valve into closed position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature. 7

VADEN W. MASON, 

